Every autumn, after the rush of the new academic year ends and the leaves start to discolour and fall, many students anticipate the commencement of the next month, October! While many anxiously await the celebration of Halloween, adorned with pumpkins and tooth-rotting sweets, one particular event seems to be overlooked.
Black History Month is arguably one of the most major events on the calendar, providing a fresh insight on the struggles and history of the black-British population across the UK. Whether it be through speeches and assemblies, or events and posters distributed to spread awareness, we can all universally agree on the importance of such a month, the only month in which black voices are heard to its full extent.
But why care about Black History Month, what does it add for the community and the voices of the people?
Given that this year, our schools goal is “personal growth,” it felt extremely relevant during the preparation and execution of the assemblies presented in school.
Through the Black History Month assemblies, not only is awareness spread about a topic and encourages us, as the sacred heart community, to come together as a single unit to strive for a common good but also facilitates the perfect environment for personal growth and the strive for a better society.
Personally, going up to the podium and speaking about a topic remarkably close to my heart developed skills and abilities that would not have reached the surface had I not taken such an opportunity. To stand and speak about a sensitive social topic and bring cognizance to the history and future of black voices developed virtues and qualities vital to maximise my own life and aid in rejecting mediocrity and embracing growth.
So how can everyone achieve a desire and ability to grow, not only in the context of black history month but in our community generally?
Within the school community, academic ambition, and perseverance not only to learn but social situations too are key. Without personal growth, our school would not be able to grow and learn and flourish into the community it is today and will be in the future, to have the ability to speak up and spread awareness of social issues and to develop virtues and traits needed to thrive academically and socially.
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”
If we do not fight for development of social issues such as Black History Month, if we do not fight for the development of our society and ourselves, progress will not be made. A timeless sentiment I think applies to everyone within our society.